Sustainable in the Suburbs

Sarah Robertson-Barnes
  • 4.6 (10)
  • HOME & GARDEN
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Want to waste less, save money, and make your home a little more eco-friendly? Sustainable in the Suburbs is your go-to podcast for practical, judgment-free tips and real-life stories to help you build sustainable habits that actually stick. Hosted by Sarah Robertson-Barnes — a suburban soccer mum, sustainability educator, and founder of the blog Sustainable in the Suburbs — this weekly show brings doable advice, honest conversations, and actionable ideas to help you waste less, spend smarter, and live more sustainably at home. Because sustainable living doesn’t have to be perfect to matter — and you don’t have to do it all to make a big impact.  Start where you are, use what you have, and live a little greener.

  1. 19H AGO

    36: How to Host a Clothing Swap — Sharing Clothes & Building Community

    We all have clothes we don’t wear. Pieces that might fit again someday, that were expensive, or that feel too nice to just drop into a donation bin. When those clothes start piling up, donation often becomes the default solution. And once those bags are gone from the trunk, the buying cycle begins again. In this episode, I’m taking a closer look at that pattern, and at what it might look like to slow down not just how we buy clothes, but how we let them go. We’re talking about clothing swaps — how they work in real life, why they’re such a powerful (and often overlooked) tool for sustainable living, and how sharing clothes within our existing circles can keep clothing in use closer to home, while also building connection and community. Takeaways How donation has become part of the buying cycle (and why that matters)How clothing swaps keep clothes in use locallyWhy letting go of clothing is emotional (and how swaps create a softer landing)How to actually host a swapWhy planning for leftovers is just as important as planning the swap itselfHow sharing clothes can quietly build connection and communityOne Small Shift Try it! If you have host energy, host a clothing swap — start small, keep it simple, and see what happens. And if hosting feels like too much, say YES to attending one. Resources How to Host a Clothing Swap (blog post) Ep. 35: Rethinking Sustainable Fashion with Sabs Katz Clotheshorse Podcast Consumed - Aja Barber (book) Aja Barber - Patreon Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.

    25 min

  2. JAN 27

    35: Rethinking Sustainable Fashion, Consumption, and Personal Style with Sabs Katz

    This episode touches on sustainable fashion — but it’s not only about fashion. It’s a conversation about how we think about clothes, how we relate to what we already own, and how everyday decisions around getting dressed connect to consumption, care, and creativity. I’m joined by Sabs Katz, the creator of Sustainable Sabs and a cofounder of Intersectional Environmentalist, for a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about personal style, overconsumption, and what it looks like to slow down without turning sustainability into a rulebook. We talk about clothing as memory and legacy, why reducing consumption matters more than chasing “better” products, and how practices like mending, swaps, and intentional limits can actually make style clearer — not more restrictive. This episode is for anyone who wears clothes — which is all of us. Takeaways Why fashion can be such a complicated entry point into sustainabilityWhat “sustainable fashion” can look like in real lifeClothing as memory, inheritance, and careReducing consumption without rigidityMending, swaps, and community-based alternativesFinding creativity outside of constant trendsSome excellent challenges to curb your consumption and recharge your creativityOne Small Shift Pause before buying something new. Save it, sit with it, and see how you feel about it a week later. Connect With Sabs Instagram Website Substack Resources Intersectional Environmentalist Indyx Hot or Cool Institute Drive to Target - poems by Hayley DeRoche Pattie Gonia How to Host a Clothing Swap (blog post) Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.

    59 min

  3. JAN 20

    34: How to Quit Using Paper Towels (and What to Use Instead)

    Paper towels are one of those everyday items most of us don’t think twice about — until we do. They’re convenient, familiar, and deeply embedded in our kitchen routines. But when you slow down and look at what goes into making something designed to be used once and thrown away, it becomes worth questioning. In this solo episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, I’m talking about how to quit (or significantly reduce) paper towel use in a way that’s practical, flexible, and rooted in real life. I share how paper towels quietly disappeared from our home years ago, why they’re so easy to overuse, and what actually works instead. We dig into the environmental and financial cost of paper towels, how ideas about cleanliness and convenience shape our habits, and why changing what’s within reach can naturally change behaviour. I also walk through realistic reusable alternatives, storage and laundry concerns, edge cases where disposables still make sense, and what to do if you already have paper towels at home. The focus is on choosing reusables where they make sense, and how small changes add up over time in everyday life. Takeaways Why paper towels are designed to be overused — and why that’s not a personal failure.The environmental impact of single-use paper products.Practical alternatives to paper towels that work in everyday homes.How small behavioural changes can reduce waste.Why using fewer paper towels still matters, even if you don’t eliminate them entirely.One Small Shift Take the paper towel roll off your counter and put it somewhere else — under the sink, in a cupboard, or the pantry. Just notice what you reach for instead over the next week or two. Related Episodes 8: 5 Easy Plastic-Free Kitchen Swaps for Sustainable Living 11: Money, Enoughness, and Community Care with Women's Personal Finance 33: Fewer, Better Things — How to Reduce Kitchen Clutter and Waste Resources What to Use Instead of Paper Towels (all my favourite products) How to Knit a Dish Cloth (free PDF pattern) 10 Zero Waste Kitchen Swaps That Save You Money (blog post) A Beginner's Guide to a Sustainable Kitchen (use code PODCAST20) Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.

    27 min

  4. JAN 13

    33: Fewer, Better Things — How to Reduce Kitchen Clutter and Waste with Sasha Mazzuca

    Our homes are full of things we barely notice until they start to feel heavy. Duplicate pantry items, forgotten gadgets, drawers that are full of junk... And suddenly, everyday life feels harder than it needs to be. In this episode, I’m joined by Sasha Mazzuca, founder of Disch and a professional organizer, for a thoughtful conversation about our relationship to stuff — and how choosing fewer, better things can make daily life feel calmer, more functional, and more sustainable. Sasha shares how years of organizing clients’ kitchens led her to a surprisingly universal problem: the towel drawer. From there, she walks us through how thoughtful design, simple systems, and well-made tools can reduce clutter, decision fatigue, and waste — without requiring a full lifestyle overhaul. We talk about why eco-friendly products don’t have to be boring or expensive, how paper towels quietly add up in both cost and resources, and why the kitchen is often the easiest place to start building more sustainable habits. This conversation is especially timely for anyone feeling the pull to declutter, reset, or simplify — without chasing perfection. Takeaways Why clutter often comes from delayed decisions and forgotten duplicatesHow professional organizing intersects with sustainabilityCommon myths about eco-friendly products — including cost and aestheticsWhy the kitchen is a natural gateway to sustainable livingWhy paper towels are one of the easiest places to reduce wasteHow fewer, better-designed tools can support lasting habitsOne Small Shift Sasha suggests starting with one drawer — especially the towel drawer. Choosing tools that actually work, fit neatly, and get used every day can reduce clutter, waste, and mental load far more than we expect. Connect With Sasha / Disch Website Instagram Facebook Resources What To Use Instead of Paper Towels (blog post) 10 Zero Waste Kitchen Swaps That Save You Money (blog post) A Beginner's Guide to a Sustainable Kitchen (e-book - use code PODCAST20) 5 Easy Plastic-Free Kitchen Swaps (previous episode) Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.

    52 min

  5. 12/30/2025

    32: Overstimulation, Overconsumption, and the Pressure to Do More with Gillian Gabryluk

    If the week between Christmas and New Year’s leaves you feeling overstimulated, scattered, or unsure how to move forward without just adding more pressure, you’re not alone. After a season filled with noise, expectations, and stuff, it can be hard to find your footing — especially when the cultural message is already shifting toward doing more, fixing more, and buying more in January. This week, I’m joined by Gillian Gabryluk, founder of Sileo Health & Wellness and host of the Be Still and Live podcast. Gillian shares a grounded perspective to what it looks like to slow down, reconnect with ourselves, and move into the new year with intention rather than urgency. We talk about overstimulation, the myth that “more” will make us feel better, and why there’s nothing we can add to cart that will fix the feeling of overwhelm. Gillian explains why stillness is a form of strength, and offers gentle, practical ways families can create calmer rhythms at home, especially during winter. This conversation is a reminder that sustainable living often begins long before the recycling bin — with clarity, values, and learning to want less. Takeaways Why the constant noise of modern life leaves us feeling overstimulatedHow shopping, scrolling, and clutter become default coping mechanismsWhy “more” — more doing, more buying, more fixing — rarely brings reliefHow winter naturally invites reflection and a slower paceHow values-based living often leads to consuming lessWhy small shifts are more sustainable than big overhaulsOne Small Shift Gillian suggests practicing the pause — especially when the urge to scroll, shop, or add something new shows up. Often, the calm we’re looking for is already available once we slow down enough to notice it. Connect With Gillian Website Instagram Be Still and Live - Podcast Resources How to Create Eco-Friendly Holiday Traditions (blog post) Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.

    52 min

  6. 12/16/2025

    31: What Actually Works (and What Doesn't) in Sustainable Living — Lessons From a Year of Podcasting

    After releasing 31 episodes — something I am frankly amazed at — I wanted to take a few minutes to look back on this first year of Sustainable in the Suburbs. What’s worked, what’s been harder than expected, and what I’ve learned along the way. In this short solo episode, I reflect on how the podcast has shaped my own thinking around sustainable living, why some conversations have resonated more than others, and how this show has slowly become a deeper, more community-focused part of my work. I also share the five episodes you’ve returned to most — a mix of topics that says a lot about what we’re collectively navigating right now. Finally, I invite you into what comes next. As I start planning for 2026, I’d genuinely love to hear what you want more of — the questions you’re sitting with, the topics you want explored, and the conversations that would support you where you are right now.  Takeaways Sustainable living works best when it fits into real, everyday life.Slowing down and reflecting can lead to more intentional choices.Community care and connection are central to meaningful climate action.Food waste prevention continues to be one of the most impactful areas to focus on.Intentional spending can support local economies and broader systems change.Top Five Episodes of 2025 Money, Enoughness, and Community Care with Women’s Personal FinanceHow to Quit Using Amazon — and Why You ShouldHoliday Food Waste — Simple Ways to Reduce Waste, Save Money, and Celebrate SustainablyBeeswax Wraps 101 with Hive to Home5 Sustainable Living Mistakes to Avoid (and What to Do Instead)Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.

    18 min

  7. 12/09/2025

    30: Sustainable Gift Wrapping — How to Use What You Have and Cut Holiday Waste

    Every holiday season, those beautifully wrapped gifts under the tree inevitably results in a giant pile of very fancy garbage in five minutes flat. In this week’s episode of Sustainable in the Suburbs, Sarah Robertson-Barnes looks at something most of us keep meaning to do better with next year… gift wrapping. From the confusing rules around what’s actually recyclable to the Pinterest pressure of “perfect” presentation, this episode explores why wrapping creates so much waste — and what we can do instead. Sarah walks through simple, low-waste wrapping ideas using things you already have at home, as well as what kids learn from watching us wrap, and how a few small shifts can make your holiday wrapping a little easier and a lot less expensive.  Whether you love wrapping gifts or dread it every year, this episode offers practical, accessible ideas to help you reduce waste, save money, and make the season feel more intentional. Takeaways Almost ALL wrapping paper is not recyclable, leading to significant waste.The easiest place to start is using what you already have.Reusable wrapping options can make gifts feel special without adding to holiday waste.Practical, everyday items can double as thoughtful and sustainable packaging.Simple, natural touches can elevate gifts while keeping materials out of the trash.Modelling mindful wrapping teaches kids about care, intention, and resourcefulness.One Small Shift Take five minutes to look around your home and see what you already have that could be used for wrapping this year — paper bags, fabric scraps, jars, twine, whatever’s on hand. Start there, and let the rest follow. Resources Sustainable Gift Wrapping Ideas  How to Clean Pine Cones for Crafting Salt Dough Ornaments Dried Orange Slices How to Wrap Gifts with Cloth (video) Zero Waste Gift Wrapping Ideas (Pinterest) Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.

    33 min

  8. 12/02/2025

    29: Sustainable Holidays with Kids — Minimalism, Presence, and Doing Less with Stephanie Seferian

    If the holidays seem to get louder and more overwhelming every year, you’re not imagining it. From endless ads to the pressure to make everything “magical,” it’s easy to get swept into a season that feels more stressful than joyful. And for parents trying to have a more sustainable holiday with kids, the noise can make it hard to stay grounded in what really matters. This week, I’m joined by Stephanie Seferian, host of the Sustainable Minimalists podcast and author of Sustainable Minimalism. Stephanie brings such a thoughtful, grounded perspective to what it means to step back from the holiday frenzy and reclaim a season rooted in connection rather than consumption. We talk about why less often feels harder than more, how cultural messaging around holiday magic drives emotional spending, and what it looks like to model enoughness for our kids. Stephanie also shares practical ideas for secondhand gifts, simple homemade traditions, and creating a mindful holiday season that actually feels good. Takeaways How “holiday magic” messaging fuels emotional and impulse spendingWhat ‘doomspending’ is and why its amplified at this time of yearHow holiday marketing shapes our expectations and buying habitsSecondhand gifts, swaps, and other simple alternatives to buying newModeling “enough” for kids in a season of big expectationsSetting boundaries around marketing, comparison, and the mental loadSlowing down with the season instead of speeding upCreating simple, sustainable holiday traditions that feel goodOne Small Shift Stephanie suggests buying for fewer people. A smaller list means less pressure, less waste, and more room for the parts of the holidays that actually matter. Connect With Stephanie Instagram Website Substack Sustainable Minimalism (book) Sustainable Minimalists (podcast) Resources Sustainability in the Suburbs (Sustainable Minimalists podcast) Is It Okay To Give Secondhand Gifts (episode & blog post) How to Stop Shopping on Amazon (blog post) 6 Recipes for Gifts in a Jar (blog post) Support the show Connect With Me Website Newsletter Shop Instagram Support the Show Sustainable in the Suburbs is mixed and edited by Cardinal Studio If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love it if you followed the show, shared it with a friend, or left a rating and review. Every little bit helps more people find Sustainable in the Suburbs — and live a little greener.

    46 min
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4.6
out of 5
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About

Want to waste less, save money, and make your home a little more eco-friendly? Sustainable in the Suburbs is your go-to podcast for practical, judgment-free tips and real-life stories to help you build sustainable habits that actually stick. Hosted by Sarah Robertson-Barnes — a suburban soccer mum, sustainability educator, and founder of the blog Sustainable in the Suburbs — this weekly show brings doable advice, honest conversations, and actionable ideas to help you waste less, spend smarter, and live more sustainably at home. Because sustainable living doesn’t have to be perfect to matter — and you don’t have to do it all to make a big impact.  Start where you are, use what you have, and live a little greener.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Robertson-Barnes
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sustainable in the Suburbs
  • Show Website
    Sustainable in the Suburbs

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